A Night In the Dark | H. S.

Chapter 12

Mary looked out the front doors of the Center. She had just guided Felicia back to her room. Or attempted to, that is. Felicia insisted she knew the way now. So Mary let her walk the remaining half alone. She trusted her.

It had been several weeks now, and she was beginning to blossom.

She and Mary would travel to the park almost every day for a stroll through the cherry trees. Normally, followed by a trip to a small café they had come to love.

The transition had been hard on Felicia. The constant threat of Jase coming and seizing her was increasing. After all, they were in the middle of a legal battle now. Felicia, with the help of Dr Gomez, was able to start speaking about the abuse she had received. Which made him furious. He was angry that the thorn in his side, Felicia, had been able to get the upper hand on him. This was his driving force to get her back. He hated losing control.

But Mary had been her constant. She was always there for her.

She and some of the other nurses recently surprised Felicia with a Salon day. They paid for her to have her tangled hair, that was normally in her face, trimmed to an easy - care hairstyle. All she had to do was brush and it would fall into place.

Every once in a while, Minnie, a young nurse who was going to beautician school, would come up to Felicia's room and practice her makeup on her.

"You could be a freaking model, girl." Minnie would always say.

Felicia would normally laugh and remind Minnie there aren't blind models for Dior or VS.

Today had been a good day though. Mary was pleased to hear how much Felicia had opened up ad a person. She was truly a rare gem. Even though she had a life of pain and misery, she was able to still find the good in every situation. She hadn't let life harden her heart; she could still love.

"Mama Mary!" An excited squeal came from behind her.

Mary turned slightly to see three nurses running full speed towards her.

"Is he here?!" Another one giggled.

Mary frowned as she turned to face the girlish nurses.

"Silence." She scolded, to which they listened.

"I'm only going to say this once, do not make me have to say it again. Mr Styles trip here is to be one of top secrecy. I don't want anyone to compromise his privacy because he's a movie star."

The girls shot looks at eachother as one of then cleared her throat nervously.

"Um... Mama Mary, he's a singer."

Mary rolled her eyes.

"Whatever he is, he is not to be disturbed. You cannot tell anyone he is here. Not any other faculty, not your family, and especially the media."

Mary's face was exceptionally serious. The girls got the message as their faces went solemn.

Mary turned to face the glass doors again as she clasped her hands behind her back. She couldn't help but smile at the girl's excitement. After all, it was a huge deal to have such a famous person lodge in their center.

"Brooklyn," she tried to regain her serious voice again, "You will be the one who shows him to his room. Room 269."

The girls giggled amongst themselves.

Mary continued.

"Be sure and make him comfortable. We can't put him in the rehab wing yet. Too many people. They said he needs absolute quiet. So, he will be here with us until further notice."

All three woman shook their heads in unison as their smiles grew.

Mary pursed her lips. "Anymore questions."

"No, Mama Mary." They all said at once.

"Good," she smiled sternly, "because he's here."

Mary was almost thrown through the window from the loudness of the nurse's screaming.

"SILENCE!" She yelled.

They apologized profusely as they slapped their hands over their mouths. They were shaking uncontrollably.

Mary gathered her wits once again and stepped out the doors.

With a large smile, she spoke.

"Mr. Styles, I presume? So nice to see you. Welcome to the Harbor!"

♡